More Than Healthcare: The NHS and Society (original) (raw)
2019, Masters Dissertation
The enduring support and attachment the public has for the NHS has been likened to a religion. The institution attracts more support than any other, is claimed to be the most important factor in generating pride in Britain and is strongly associated with national values and identity. This dissertation explores how the NHS has shaped society beyond the delivery of healthcare. A philosophic assessment of the role of public institutions in transmitting values to society is followed by an interrogation of the deeper meaning the NHS has for the population. A theme of community emerges, demonstrating how the NHS and society are closely aligned in the collective public mind, allied to a nostalgic longing for social cohesion. Theoretical and empirical analysis demonstrate how the NHS, through its universal nature, positively influences societal attitudes and, by encouraging trust in citizens, has made a contribution towards social cohesion.
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